Main navigation

Our Original Videos

A few weeks ago we received an email from a friend looking for a favor that was completely outside our comfort zone – which is exactly why it was so appealing.

The request was simple; could Joel spare a few hours on a Saturday to ‘compete’ in an “Iron Chef'” style cooking challenge that was part of an event to help get kids interested in food and careers in the food industry. The request came from our friend and local food hero, Joshna Maharaj. Joel was to ‘compete’ against Tanya Botrill from The Bluntroll (she handmakes unbeleivable aprons that double as a portable knife case designed for chefs).

The event was nerve-wracking but a tonne of fun – and I kept all of my fingers! How did the day go? Check it out:

A few weeks ago we received an email from a friend looking for a favor that was completely outside our comfort zone – which is exactly why it was so appealing.

The request was simple; could Joel spare a few hours on a Saturday to ‘compete’ in an “Iron Chef'” style cooking challenge that was part of an event to help get kids interested in food and careers in the food industry. The request came from our friend and local food hero, Joshna Maharaj. Joel was to ‘compete’ against Tanya Botrill from The Bluntroll (she handmakes unbeleivable aprons that double as a portable knife case designed for chefs).

The event was nerve-wracking but a tonne of fun – and I kept all of my fingers! How did the day go? Check it out:

More than 2,000 Torontonians took the street this weekend to protest against Monsanto and GMO (Genetically Modified) food. It was part of a nearly global event where it’s estimated that 2,000,000 people took to the streets to voice their concerns against GMO’s (source). The event was organized by the folks at March Against Monsanto.

Here’s our highlights from the Toronto march and what it felt like to walk amongst the peaceful crowd:

If you’re not familiar with the reasons why people are angry about GMO’s, consider (source):

61 countries in the world require labelling of GMO food.

The United States and Canada are the only two industrialized nations which do not require them.

We are eating GMO food, due to lack of labelling, cannot make a choice not to. Consider the percentages of the following crops that are Genetically Modified (source)

There is significant concern about the environmental impact of the use (and types) of chemicals being used with GMO crops (source).

Like any global issue, GMOs have opponents and proponents. There are arguments supporting both sides; my primary frustration is that I cannot choose to be GMO free if I want. We don’t have to agree on the impacts of GMOs – but surely everyone must be willing to support the right to choose? Monsanto and companies using it’s seeds spent millions of dollars campaigning Californians to prevent mandatory labeling (source).

Change will happen when the public asks for it. Will you join us (and the people in almost 300 cities around the world) asking for labeling of GMOs?

A few weeks ago we taught a Fundamentals of Fermentation Class at the Cookbook Store in Toronto. It was an exciting evening with more than 35 people jammed into the place to try different ferments and learn more about preserving.

Before the event kicked off, I (Joel) was interviewed for a few minutes by Alison Fryer of the Cookbook store. Knowing that she’s interviewed hundreds of Chefs and cookbook authors had me a little nervous but it was a lot of fun. Here’s the interview form their YouTube channel:

When watching the video I find that it makes me look like a giant – I’m really not!